We started our trip in Chicago. While there we spent time with some of my friends from high school. It was so good to see them and catch up with what they are doing. We also got to see all of my in-town relatives. It was so much fun playing with my little cousins Ashley and Tyler. They are getting so big! And to sit and talk with my grandparents was enjoyable, as always.
For Christmas day, we got together with my dad's side of the family. We always have a blast over there. We didn't play as many games this year, but we kept our two main staples. The first game we play involves two small presents, each of which are wrapped in an entire roll of wrapping paper and used at least two rolls of tape. They are incredibly hard to unwrap. That's the point. We try to unwrap the present before it gets taken by someone else. Whoever gets inside the box first gets a $2 bill. (If you want to play this and want more details, let me know.)
Then we have a white elephant gift exchange. We wait til the end to unwrap the presents. It's always fun to see what ridiculous items were inside the pretty packages that people fought so hard for. (Again, if you want more detail let me know).
Finally we had our real gift exchange. We just started a secret santa exchange this year and we made the rule that all of the gifts had to be "As seen on TV" items. It was awesome! The gift that was the biggest hit was the Shamwow. (It's made in Germany, so you know it's good). My dad and Uncle Jim both got a set. Every time something spilled, they would race to the mess with a Shamwow in hand! It was hilarious!
We then headed down to St. Louis to see Micah's family. We made it down Friday evening in time to visit with everyone before the fun of the gift exchange. We saw our newest (not for long) nephew George. It's crazy how fast little kids grow in the 6 months since we last saw him!! We got to hear how Rosemary and Jenny are doing and the plans they have for when the new babies come. I am bummed we live so far away! We are going to have to find a way to visit this summer. It was so great to get caught up with the family and to play with the nieces and nephews.
On Saturday we met up with a couple of friends from church and had lunch at Fitz's. (We are going to have to find a way to get their rootbeer out here. I miss it.) That night we got together again with the family. More catching up, more good food, more fun. We played their version of a white elephant exchange called Rob Your Neighbor but this game has actual gifts that people want. I love games like this. They are always entertaining and you end up with great things that you wouldn't necessarily have bought for yourself. After the game, I played with the nieces and nephews and became Aunt Tiffany The Human Jungle Gym. I should have known that you can't pick up one of them without hearing "my turn! my turn!" from the others.
Sunday was church and some brief catching up with friends and seeing all of the new babies that were born just after we moved. Then it was family brunch and a little bit of hanging out before it was time for everyone to head out and for us to go back to Chicago so we could fly back home the next day.
It was fantastic to see everyone. I have some pictures, but I haven't downloaded them yet. I'll post them when I get them from the camera.
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